Three hilltops huddled together a long time ago. To pay their respects like a devotee, to watch her beauty like a lover, to care for her like a parent. Looking up at these first adorers of Ma Ganga from this particular spot on her Rishikesh banks, it appeared as if this passage between the mountains led up to another world in the skies hidden by those surreal, swirling clouds…
The story of Queen MadAlasA (Brahmanda Purana) is a lofty though inspirational example of a parent’s role in the life of a child. Her enlightening lullaby to her children produced four sages. Such conscious parenting may seem like a story best left in books but even a casual observer of some of today’s modern parenting can see that we are due for some changes. The age of technology and impending AI revolution calls for a different perspective on education. Can we figure out solutions in time that will avoid us becoming slaves to technology?
Rafting over the Ganges, Gayatri Iyer reflects on how the river embodies the characteristics of the different Pandava princes of the Mahabharata epic. One can seek their reflections in this living river, as well as one’s own.
“The Sanskrit language is called DEVAVANI – the divine language. And it certainly is divine in the sense because it is the most poetic and the most musical language. Each word has a music around it, a certain aroma”.
Read more of what spiritual master Osho had to say about the Sanskrit language.
Ganesh Varadharajan shares his musings on time. Man’s life is trapped in past, present and future until the timeless Self is realised.
Are science and religion necessarily competitors or can they be complimentary? Author of 3 popular books on Indian mythology and a doctor by profession, Dr Vineet Aggarwal shares his thoughts on the topic. Indeed when one studies the ancient scriptures deeply, one is often astounded by the scientific knowledge one finds.
Guest contributor Ashay Gupta shares his existential musings about the meaning of life and the search for one’s true self. All seekers can resonate with the questions about ‘what really is true’ and ‘who am I’?
Blogger Ruchira Khanna shares some simple wisdom for restoring the connection between body and mind to enable us to deal with the stresses of life.
What if you could hear nature speak? If you are sufficiently silent, you just may be able to tune-in to nature’s radio. But how often do we attempt to experience such a communion?
Here are some gorgeous photos shared by LWP writer and blogger Rahul Sharma showcasing nature’s art gallery. Captions added by Shruti Bakshi are a light-hearted guess at what nature may be trying to say in these photos.
Feel free to share your own captions in the comments section, referencing the photo number!
How does ahimsa apply to conflict situations? Shruti Bakshi explains how it’s only as we recognise our larger identity with the unity of life, that we can carry out even the most violent action if required of us, without a feeling of malice or intention of causing suffering to others.
Does Gautam Buddha’s personality reflect the influence of the planet Budha and Ved Vyas’ that of Brihaspati? Ganesh Varadharajan explores the influence of planets on human characteristics and personalities.
Ganesh Varadharajan explores what makes a work an ‘epic’. Using as examples, Tolkien’s ‘Legendarium’ and Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice & Fire’, Ganesh brings out the different textures of the fantasy worlds created by the novelists. Referencing back to the great epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Sri Aurobindo’s ‘Savitri’ as well as the Greek epics and the works of Shakespeare, gives an insight into the world of legend, myth and fantasy.
The weekly round-up of LWP’s articles (11 – 17 September 2017).
Shruti Bakshi speaks to bestselling author Amish Tripathi about a wide range of topics from his books to his writing process, to atheism in ancient India and current issues in India relating to religion, society and politics. As someone with vast knowledge about India’s past and ancient wisdom and who refuses to be pigeonholed as ‘left’ or ‘right’, Amish’s views are refreshing, insightful and enlightening.
“The earth beneath my feet moved. I was going down and could not see any soil beneath my feet. It was white ice all around. I pressed my trekking shoes against the ice as hard as I could and managed to regain my balance. I took a moment to catch my breath and then went to the edge of the cliff to see what was going on…”
Read more of the final part of the Everest Series in which Rohit Kumar finds that the awesome beauty of Mother Nature is enough to energise and lift one’s spirits in the toughest moments.
